1stXV match report against St David’s Marist

SACS 19 ST. DAVID’S MARIST (JHB) 7 Playing at the Wynberg Boy’s High Rugby Festival SACS were forced to come from behind in the final fifteen minutes to beat at spirited St. David’s Marist College from Johannesburg. The game was even throughout with St. David’s enjoying territorial advantage in the first half. The team were tied at nil-all at half-time. St. David’s did most of the attacking on the first half but the SACS defence were up to the challenge. SACS had one good chance when scrumhalf Ru-ees Arendse broken threw but he failed to link up with his support.

St. David’s had opportunities to kick at poles but missed one and went for the corner once. SACS missed a long range penalty on the half-time whistle. The game turned fifteen minutes into the second half when St. David’s secured a tighthead near the SACS tryline. They spun the ball left and from the ensuing ruck their scrumhalf darted over. The try was converted and SACS were staring down the barrel. Stung into action SACS began to play with more urgency. St. David’s sniffing a victory also upped the ante and the game was finally full of action. Fortunately for SACS they twice managed to free up right-wing Damian Rawstorne who finished both chances clinically. Fullback Lecander Salies converted the first try from dead in front. On the stroke of full time SACS ran a cut move from a scrum in the St. David’s half and lanky centre Ciaran Dayaram cut through the St. David’s defence to score under the poles.

The final scoreline of 19-7 flattered SACS who defended well bad lacked urgency and aggression in attack while also making far too many handling errors. SACS play St. Andrew’s College (Grahamstown) on Saturday 3 May at 12 noon. This will be a stern challenge against a well drilled College outfit. SACS are going to have to raise their game drastically to compete. Other scores: U14A vs St. David’s won 75-0 U15A vs St. David’s won 43-7 U16A vs St. David’s won 91-0 2ndXV vs Tygerberg High won 14-6